RIDE

Impaired driving, or at least the interception of it, appears to be at an all-time high, according to the final 2018 figures from the Thunder Bay Police Service.

With the conclusion of the Festive RIDE season, the police service is reporting that 178 people were arrested for impaired operation of a motor vehicle in 2018, up from 175 in 2017. That figure, however, is consistent with the significantly increased number over the past few years. In the first half of the decade, the number of impaired drivers arrested per year averaged 120.

A ceremonial kickoff event took place in front of the Mac’s Convenience store on Arthur and Franklin Streets. Police services taking part in the Festive RIDE program include the Anishinabek Police Service, CP Police, CN Police, Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service, Ontario Provincial Police and the Thunder Bay Police Service.

Thunder Bay Police Service through the support of the R.I.D.E. program will once again be on our roads Friday and Saturday night conducting RIDE checks, focusing on drivers impaired by Alcohol and/or Drugs.

Our goal is to bring awareness to the public and encourage citizen's to make a plan for a safe fun evening.

Plan your ride home. Don't Drink and Drive.

There will be many strange sightings this weekend so don't let your fun be ruined by frightening events such as being injured or worse from making the wrong choice.